The head of the molecular immunology laboratory at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Dr Michelle Wykes, and her team found a protein on the surface of a particular immune cell plays a crucial role in fighting malaria infection.

"Within the immune system there are dendritic cells ... the generals, and T cells, which are the soldiers. Dendritic cells tell the T cells when to attack an infection and when to put down their weapons," Dr Wykes said.

"The dendritic cells have proteins on their surface, which they use to send these orders to the T cells."

The team found another protein could override this and tell T cells to switch on and keep fighting.